ALSO: looking at 84 300D, help with price - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

newagon · #1 08-21-2006, 12:03 AM

My wagon got me hooked. I'm officially addicted. Have had my eye on a 300D parked in my neighborhood. Finally saw the guy who owns it, turns out he's a mechanic and has been working on it. Willing to sell. I (not being a mechanic, and very new to learning to DIMyeslf) haven't taken it to my mechanic yet for the thorough check up. would love opinions here for price:
Here's what I know, HAVEN'T driven it yet (will tomorrow).:
285k miles (high)
he rebuilt head
engine looks clean clean, not much oil mess anywhere under hood
starts up easy and smooth, no smoke
says turbo works
says tranny is good
says brakes good
climate control unsure, blows, but no AC yet. says he's going to replace the part that cools the hose (excuse my illiteracy here, can't remember the name of the piece-- not expansion valve or drier, these i know.)
three windows work, rear drivers side doesn't
antena and sunroof and stereo work
seats have no rips, springs feel ok, a few cracks in dash, not bad
oxidation on paint job, possible buff job
trunk opens, didn't test all doors/locks, pretty sure they work.

Just doing the quick visual and not driving yet, I said I'd start at $1500 and go down from there based on how it runs and what mechanic says (he's a good MB guy with 25yrs exp. with MB).
what do you guys think? hard to say without the test drive, i know.
I DON"T have a lot of money for repairs, so I'm hoping it will be in decent running condition. I can't do a ton myself, only basics.
thanks in advance
Stanya

jrgslg · #2 08-21-2006, 06:31 AM

I think you will know more after you drive it, I would for sure take it to your MBZ mechanic and let him take a good hard look at it.If you are tight on money for repairs this may not be the car for you.A/C can get expensive .Good Luck

newagon · #3 08-22-2006, 12:33 AM

thanks jrgslg. driving it in the AM, taking it to mechanic tomorrow for check out. i hoping it works out cuz if it could be our second veggie mobile, we'd be a gas free family! the amount i save each month on not buying a drip of gas/diesel might be enough to cover repairs, who knows! (so far i save over $200 by using all waste oil.)
anyway,
thanks for replying.

newagon · #4 08-22-2006, 05:15 PM

I bought it! $1200. Needs valve adjust, turbo adjust, new fuel filters, tune-up. Biggest prob will be AC/CC. hoping vacc test will show no leaks, waiting now to hear prognosis from mechanic. compressor clutch engages, runs, blower fan runs fine too. center vents don't blow, hoping its a stuck door.
other than that, its the usual pool noodle seat repairs needed in front and some day a paint job. all the other mechanical work (windows, door locks, radio, aentenna, sunroof, etc..)
i think i got a good deal on strong running 84 300D and so psyched to add another 123 to the family.

Jim B. · #5 08-22-2006, 05:39 PM

May I be allowed to be the first to congratulate you on it?

That's a pretty low price of admission for a W123 diesel these days, so you did well there, and you went in with your eyes open, knowing pretty much what it will take to bring it up to spec.

Fixing the mechanical issues first, then cosmetics later. A car is a car, some go faster, cornerr quicker, play music better than others, but the W123 is a classic Mercedes design, and with care it will last you a REAL long time.

You should be fine with this, they are wonderful cars, and really can take adverse conditions, just look at the daily TV news, and see the W123 sedans pouring back into Lebanon. (And those are mostly gassers)

These are the cars built with care and to the highest standards of craftsmanship, and not terribly hard to work on, and still carry the badge of prestige worldwide.

The first MB car I ever consideredd was a used W123, couldn't decide between a 300 diesel, 240D auto or stick or a 280, but couldn't get one financed so had to settle for an Olds 88 (not what I really wanted to get)
Thaqt Olds was in the junkyard by 1989 but probably I'd still be driving the W123 today if I bought it all those years ago.

It's just amazing the parts availability and tech support available for the W123 cars, right here, today!!!

Good luck. I think you'll be happy with this decision, as the miles and years go by

newagon · #6 08-23-2006, 11:20 PM

Thanks for the thumbs up! I am really looking forward to getting it into great running condition and maybe someday being able to afford a new paint job!
So far the 300TDT has been so strong and good. I expect the 300D will be too.
thanks again
I'll post again to update the fixes as i tackle them.

olsaltybastard · #7 08-24-2006, 01:50 AM

newagon,

Don't get your hopes up on a paint job just yet!! I bought one that had pretty nasty looking paint. 10 hours later and a whole lot of admiration afterwords, even the paint jobs on these cars hold up pretty well. This paint is 23 years old:

jrgslg · #8 08-24-2006, 08:39 AM

Congrats,sounds like you did well.We need to see some pictures and of course some updates,Johnny

vstech · #9 08-24-2006, 08:47 AM

especially if he put work into the head... as a mechanic, if I had the head off with that high mileage, I would replace the chain, and tensioners, do you know if he did? if so, you should have a car that will last another 200K miles. enjoy! I wonder what prompted him to work on the head?
It sounds like a great deal! congrats!
John

newagon · #10 08-24-2006, 02:08 PM

olsaltybastard: indeed, i read your post a long time ago about how you got your funky paint job looking spiffy. i was a little intimidated by the time and labor! maybe someday i'll have some extra time someday to try it. congrats on your work.

jrgslg: yes! pics coming soon. and more updates hopefully later today.

vstech: ah, the million dollar question: it was one of the weird flukes: a few days before I approached him, apparently someone stole his truck. he's an old guy, doesn't speak much english, (we did the whole thing with my less than fluent spanish and his broken english.) He explained he works nights doing long haul deliveries in a pickup. he needed to replace his truck so desperately, he was willing to sell. he did replace the timing chain and tensioners,etc. when he replaced the head. (not sure of original reason for replacing head, i'm guessing a a crack or leak?) he said he was new to working on Mercedes and it was costing him too much. he was very fond of the car and the day I found him, he was replacing window switches and door hinges.
so as mechanical guy, let's say, who didn't have enough money/resources to keep perfecting the car, he had taken great care of it and did the major job. the day I bought it from him, he went and bought a truck so that he could go to work that night! even though he was frustrated he had put so much money into it, he was happy that I came along and offered what I did.